Accumulation over time
I had just gone to the orthodontist’s on Monday and he added in my mouth two springs to attach to the two ‘bolts’ coming out of my gums; and two hooks, one of which to hook a rubber band onto one of the bolts with. For dinner that night, I took off my rubber band to eat and I forgot to get a new one (or put the old one back on) afterwards. Upon realising, I sensed myself saying, “oh it’s okay, it’s just one night I forgot.” But as that thought began to drift through my mind, another voice reminded me of what my Pastor said the other Sunday. He said it takes one month to get a habit going. Regularly, day after day for one month, and that is the best way to set a habit. Someone also said once, it’s the accumulation of time that makes the outcome so effective.
I don’t forget to replace my rubber bands now, because I know if I want my teeth to move faster, I am going to rely on the accumulation of time with the rubber band on to make my teeth move.
But I also learnt a more important lesson with regards to quiet times. The quality of my relationship with God is also about accumulated time, especially spending time with him. I might miss one night of doing a QT and just let it go saying, ‘Oh, it’s just one night’, but i will have forfeited the chance to accumulate this time into something solid later on. Each and every occurrence counts towards the building up of a habit.
As I reflect upon this, the same goes with friendships. I remember reading from a good Christian book recently that to keep up with a friend, it is suggested that one meets up once a week face to face, and about 2-3 times a week via email, phone or SMS. Of course, it doesn’t have to be exactly that, I’m sure we can be more creative and flexible. But it reminded me of the importance of keeping friends, and how easily we let friendships just fade away.
Especially in this society where we know more people than ever, but our relationships have become a lot more superficial, it is easy to let our friendships fade away into the distance as we struggle with keeping up with so many people while we are busier than ever. This is a sad observation. If we do not make an effort to keep in step with our friends, then our friendships will die. If we do not make an effort to keep in step with our Lord, then our relationship with him will also fade away and we will grow more and more distant. This is also a sad observation that one sees more and more as we go through life.
I encourage you - the reader to set good habits. Accumulate quality time and build it into something strong. Keep up your friendships - they are important. Keep up your relationship with God by spending lots of quality time with Him. He wants to be in a relationship with you and wants you to grow with Him as your Lord. Don’t ever let THIS relationship become like what some of our worldly relationships are slowly becoming - superficial and shallow.